Current Conditions:
The Upper Madison has been a consistent producer for us lately. With some cooler nights this week, it is really starting to feel like fall on the Upper Madison. Some of the cottonwoods are already starting to change colors, so it is also looking like fall. The fishing is going to follow suit as well, with the need for early starts waning and the best fishing occurring during the midday.
Hatches are still pretty quiet right now, but there is some good fishing with terrestrials to be had right now and dry-dropper rigs are going to be a good producer if you don't want to use the good ole Madison River standby of dragging a streamer off of a nymph.
Trail your favorite big fly with a small caddis in the morning and then transition to a smaller 20-16 attractor nymph behind it. Long leaders when nymphing, and fluorocarbon help. Don't let too much slack form between your indicator and flies because Upper Madison trout have a pretty quick spit reflex on your bugs and a quick hook set is key.
The Month Ahead:
Continue to target the deeper slots where the fish are concentrated. As air temps heat up expect dam releases to increase and flows to bump up a bit which should help water temps on the lower section of the river closer to Ennis. The fishing scenario isn't going to change much in the coming weeks from the current report. Terrestrials will become more important and the beetle and ant fishing should improve.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Upper Madison is a very consistent fishery and this season should continue to produce good results up and down the river. The reports listed above should hold out into mid September. Things start to change a bit later in the fall with some baetis mayflies becoming an important factor. Fall fishing is always good on the Upper Madison.
Visit Our Shop for These Top Upper Madison Flies Right Now:
Moorish Hopper in tan, pink, or yellow in size 8-14
Any low-riding foam hopper in gray, black, or pink in size 6-10
Olive Zonker in size 6
Three Dollar Dip in sizes 14-20 in brown
Any variation of a Dungeon in darker colors in sizes 4-10
Caddis dry flies--especiall in the Channels section. Stick with high-floating dries in sizes 12-16
Pat's Rubberlegs in coffee/black in size 6-10
Black and brown Zurdles in size 8-12
BH Pheasant Tail in size 12-16
Beaded SJ Wormies in size 10
BH Prince in size 12-16
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